How Is My Gold Taxed?

Gold’s surge into 2026—peaking at about $5,500 per ounce before easing to around $4,600—has renewed “safe haven” interest amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty. But for investors, the key issue is often tax treatment. The IRS generally treats physical gold coins and bars as collectibles: profits held over a year face long-term capital gains rates up to 28%, while gains from holding under a year are taxed as ordinary income up to 37% depending on income. Gold ETFs can vary; grantor trusts using physical metal typically keep the collectible rules. Gold mining stocks are taxed like regular equities. Gold IRAs defer taxation until withdrawals.